Neighbourhood Watch
Kington St Michael's Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator is Matt Bridger, tel: (01249) 750568, e-mail: matt@bucklebury.adsl24.co.uk.
Wiltshire's Neighbourhood Watch website address is www.nhw-wilts.org.uk
Our rural beat officer is PC Heather Barham
(Email: chippruralnorthnpt@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk Tel: 0845 408 7000)
Our Neighbourhood Watch & Crime Reduction Liaison Officer is:
David J Budd
Crime Reduction / Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Officer
Community Affairs Department
Divisional Police Headquarters
Hampton Park West
Melksham
SN12 6QQ
E.mail: david.budd@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk
Direct Dial Tel: 01225 794659
Mobile: 07966 818020
Neighbourhood Watch
Gwyn Comley
Deputy Sector Coordinator - Chippenham, Calne & Corsham
Community Area Coordinator - Chippenham
Tel: 01249 654758
~*~*~*~*~
FOR THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE POLICE OR ON INCIDENTS IN THE VILLAGE,
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN BELOW "HOW NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH WORKS" INFORMATION.
~*~*~*~*~
WILTSHIRE POLICE
KNOW THE NUMBER: 0845 408 7000 (your call will be recorded)
A new single NON-EMERGENCY number was launched on 9th January 2006. This number replaces all previous public police station numbers. In an EMERGENCY dial 999. For more information visit www.wiltshire.police.uk
North Wiltshire District: Chippenham Rural North NPT. Contact Details: Please use the team email address below to report issues of local concern in your neighbourhood - this email address should not be used to report crime - please call 0845 408 7000 to report minor crimes.
Email: chippruralnorthnpt@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk Tel: 0845 408 7000
The police service has set out its commitment to the public in a "Policing Pledge"; click here for details.
Community Beat Manager (CBM)
Name: PC Dawn Barham |
~*~*~*~*~
For Government advice on how to secure your home click here.
www.communitygroup.co.uk (Public interest website, including a section on Neighbourhood Watch)
~*~*~*~*~
For the latest newsletter from our local police click here.
"Beat the Burglar" - Learn how by downloading a leaflet here (minus graphics!)
~*~*~*~*~
How Neighbourhood Watch Works
The Neighbourhood Watch scheme covers Kington St Michael.
Targeting local problems such as vandalism or graffiti are well within the scope of a well-organised Watch scheme. You may be able to take action yourselves, such as fitting more secure door or window locks in vulnerable homes, or you may need to get others involved. Some schemes now work in partnership with other agencies like Victim Support and Help the Aged to help reduce the fear of crime.
Anyone co-ordinating a Neighbourhood Watch scheme can get support from the local bobby as well as the Neighbourhood Watch liaison officer.
What does the Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator do?
INCIDENTS & INFORMATION
DOOR TO DOOR SALESMEN
People who sell door to door must have a Pedlars Certificate issued by the local Police to enable them to do so. People who have a criminal record are unable to obtain one. Always check to see if a caller holds the correct paperwork before buying. Please click here for more information on Wiltshire Council's website.
~*~*~*~*~
January '10
BURGLARY IN KINGTON ST MICHAEL: A house near the village shop was burgled on Wednesday 27th January, between 3.15pm and 5.30pm. Apart from urging everyone to be extra vigilant, if any one was in the vicinity during those times and noticed anything strange please 'phone the police on 0845 408 7000. The police are looking at the footage from the shop's CCTV.
November '09
There have been more stone thefts - this time from the entrance to the church in Stanton. Stone thefts seem to take place on Saturday/Sunday, Sunday/Monday mornings. Can we ask that if you see some one in or around a building that has an old stone roof or wall, and they are not known, please get a description, vehicle reg etc, or call it in as suspicous.
Gwyn Comley, Community Area Coordinator -
Chippenham and Rural Villages
Neighbourhood Watch
'Op. Egypt relates to an investigation into a series of daytime dwelling burglaries affecting North and West Wiltshire. The offences are linked with offences within the Avon & Somerset Policing area ,both by way of M.O. and forensically.
Attacked premises appear to be selected if backing onto fields, have wooden frames, with access being gained by forcing entry at the back of the house. Property targeted is selective jewellery of higher value with cheaper items or electrical goods being ignored.
Whilst many scenes have provided forensic recovery in the form of DNA and fingerprints, no suspect identification has yet been made.'
David J Budd
NHW Liaison Officer
7085@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk
~ POLICE ALERTS
Thieves targeted Sutton Benger on April 1st - it could be our area tonight. Make sure that your valuables are locked up and out of sight of the windows. Don't leave the hall light on to help them see, instead leave a landing light or bathroom light on. If you see anything untoward please dial 999 immediately.
~ Please be aware of a scam with churchgoers as the target. Click here for more information from Wiltshire Police.
~ HOTEL KEY CARDS
Ever wonder what is on your magnetic key card?
Answer:
a. Customer's name
B. Customer's partial home address
c. Hotel room number
d. Check-in date and out dates
e. Customer's credit card number and expiration date!
When you turn them in to the front desk your personal information is there for any employee to access by simply scanning the card in the hotel scanner. An employee can take a hand full of cards home and using a scanning device, access the information onto a laptop computer and go shopping at your expense.
Simply put, hotels do not erase the information on these cards until an employee reissues the card to the next hotel guest. At that time, the new guest's information is electronically 'overwritten' on the card and the previous guest's information is erased in the overwriting process.
But until the card is rewritten for the next guest, it usually is kept in a drawer at the front desk with YOUR INFORMATION ON IT!
The bottom line is: Keep the cards, take them home with you, or destroy them. NEVER leave them behind in the room or room wastebasket, and NEVER turn them into the front desk when you check out of a room. They will not charge you for the card (it's illegal) and you'll be sure you are not leaving a lot of valuable personal information on it that could be easily lifted off with any simple scanning device card reader.
For the same reason, if you arrive at the airport and discover you still have the card key in your pocket, do not toss it in an airport litter bin. Take it home and destroy it by cutting it up, especially through the electronic information strip!
If you have a small magnet, pass it across the magnetic strip several times. Then try it in the door, it will not work. It erases everything on the card.
Information courtesy of: Police Service.
Gwyn Comley
Deputy Sector Coordinator - Chippenham, Calne & Corsham
Community Area Coordinator - Chippenham
Tel: 01249 654758
Summer Security
With the warmer weather it’s easy to forget about home security, but traditionally the summer months mean an increase in burglary. By following some simple steps you can help to protect your home and belongings and still make the most of the summer.
At home
If you’re in your back garden make sure you keep doors and windows secure. Ensure that if you are having a barbecue in your back garden that all windows and doors at the front of the house are locked. Use strong locks on all external doors and easy to reach windows - such as those on the ground floor, above flat roofs or near drainpipes. Don’t hang keys where they could easily be reached through a letterbox or window and never leave them on a sideboard where they are visible. Keep valuable items away from windows where they could be seen by passers-by. This includes home computers and television sets. Never leave garden equipment unattended, even for short periods of time.
Garages and sheds
Try to keep your garage door open only for as long as is necessary. If thieves can see there is something worth stealing from a garage they could come back later and break in. As with items in your home, valuables stored in either a shed or a garage should be marked with your postcode and house number so if they are stolen and recovered you can be traced and reunited with your property. Large expensive equipment, like lawn mowers, should be fastened to something bulky. Alternatively, fit anchor posts attached to the floor to provide a fixed point for locking your belongings to.
Vehicles
Don’t leave windows and roofs open on vehicles while they are unattended. When leaving your vehicle make sure there is nothing on show. If you have a satellite navigation (SatNav) system in your car remove it when you leave your vehicle and wipe away sucker marks from your windscreen.
Before going on holiday
If you're going on holiday use timer switches on radios and lamps to give the impression the property is occupied. Don’t make any significant changes to the exterior of your property. For example, if you never shut your gate when you’re at home, don’t shut it when you go away. Make an arrangement with a trusted friend, neighbour or neighbourhood watch advisor to check on your home while you’re away. Look at your home through the eyes of a burglar - if you can get into your house without keys then so can a burglar.
DOOR-STEP SECURITY - ADVICE FOR RESIDENTS
Following several attempted distraction burglaries in our county on Tuesday 26th September 2006 together with a continuing nationwide concern over bogus callers, we would like to remind you of the importance of verifying callers to your homes. Beware of bogus callers who may knock on your door pretending they are from your water, gas, electricity or Telephone Company. They may also say they are from your local council, social services or a host of other organizations. A bogus caller is normally reluctant to show an identity card, they may say they do not have one, or have left it at home or "in the van". Never let anyone into your home without a valid identity card.
Bogus callers will often work in pairs - one will lure you away from your front door, while the other steals from your home. Do not feel under any kind of pressure to let anyone in - if you are unsure don't open the door. Any genuine caller will be happy to wait outside whilst you telephone the company to confirm who they are.
A genuine caller will always be happy to confirm who they are and the company they represent. There are a number of ways in which you can identify a genuine caller:
* they will always carry an identity card and will automatically show it to you. Look at it carefully and make sure you are happy with it.
* they will quote your personal password to you if you have one set up.
* often they will wear a uniform with the company's sign or logo.
* often they will have a car or van nearby which may show the company logo.
* they will be happy to wait outside whilst you telephone the company to confirm who they are - never let them wait inside.
If Unsure Don't Open the Door:
Always follow these simple steps to protect yourself and your property from harm and theft:
* if you have a spy hole and/or a door chain, use them (if you don't have them, get them fitted).
* if you have a secret password set up with the company, insist the caller uses it. Do not prompt or remind the caller of your password.
* make sure you look carefully at the caller's identity card and check the following:
- is the photo on the card the same as the person at the door?
- is the card valid and not out of date?
- has the card been tampered with in any way?
- is the company sign or logo the right one?
If they do not have an identity card, send them away. If you are still unsure, call the company to check who the caller is, but remember to
* keep the door shut and leave the caller outside - even if it is raining!
* contact the company on their customer services telephone number. Do not use any number on an identity card. If the caller is bogus, their phone number may be bogus too!
* If the company hasn't heard of the caller, you may have a bogus caller at your door - Dial 999 and ask for the Police and wait inside until the Police arrive.
To deter Bogus Callers, join a Password Scheme run by many Utility Companies. Password schemes are simple, but effective. You can register a personal password, which will be used whenever one of the representatives visits you. All genuine callers will know about your password and will use it when requesting access to your home.
If you are not confident with the above advice, refuse all entry if the caller has not made a pre-arranged/official appointment with you - this is the best advice to give to the elderly or vulnerable who may struggle with more complex advice. Never accept services offered by cold callers (unsolicited callers) and if someone calls at you door asking for help (to use the telephone, for shelter, for a drink of water etc), always point them in the direction of a public place (pub, shop, police station for example) and never let them in.
Information:You should never accept "on the doorstep" work or after a caller has highlighted work that "needs to be done".
You should never agree to having work done by someone who is just passing, or take their word that work needs to be done at all. Do not be pressured into paying them before they do any work. Do not accept any offer from them to drive you to the bank to withdrawn the money. If you think work needs to be done, get quotes from other companies (two or three should be enough) and also ask a friend or relative for a recommendation. You can check if a company is reputable by contacting the councils trading standards office.
This Litotes-type offence happened recently in Chippenham:
Two males charged an elderly resident £260 for very minor work done to roof. Males took the resident to the bank in order to withdraw money. The work has been examined by the police officer who confirms that the IP has been grossly overcharged for the minimal work carried out.
The men concerned are described as being white, in their 40's, with west country accents. One of the men was wearing a reflective jacket. They were seen to leave the area in a white Vauxhall Astra van.
~*~*~*~*~
in the boot, do it at the start of your journey and always ensure that electrical items are turned off.
CAR KEYS
Where do you keep your car keys? Somewhere convenient? But convenient for who? Burglars have been known to break into houses and offices just to steal car keys – or take conveniently located keys and subsequently the car as an added extra. This ‘added extra’ is at great cost to the victim.
Make sure your keys are kept in a secure place at home and at work. At home, don't get in the habit of leaving your car keys close to the front or back door where they can be seen. This might make life easier for you, but it's also very handy for a thief. If you are going out, consider taking your keys with you or alternatively avoid the obvious hiding places. At night keep your keys secure or even take them to your bedroom with you.
ALL CAR OWNERS AND CAR DRIVERS, PLEASE READ
Be aware of a new car-jacking scheme.You walk across the car park, unlock your car and get inside, lock the doors, start the engine and select reverse. You look into the rear-view mirror to back out of your parking space and notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear window. So, you shift back into park or neutral, unlock the doors and get out to remove the paper (or whatever it is) that is obstructing your view.
When you reach the back of your car the car-jackers appear out of nowhere, jump into your car and take off. Your engine was running and you would have left your handbag or briefcase in the car. APART FROM NICKING ANYTHING OF VALUE, THEY MIGHT FIND YOUR ADDRESS AND THEY ALREADY HAVE YOUR KEYS!
Remember, if you see your rear view blocked like this just drive away and remove the paper later ! It is stuck to your window!
THIS SCAM IS HAPPENING IN LONDON AT THE MOMENT AND WILL SURELY SPREAD TO OTHER AREAS
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
AT HOME
Make sure your house or flat is kept secure, and don't leave doors or ground floor windows open, even when you are around. Use window locks, latches or restrictors that allow you to leave the ground floor windows slightly open on a hot day, but only do this when you are around, otherwise keep them shut and locked.
Review your home security; External doors are safest when fitted with a "five-lever mortise deadlock". You can buy these in most DIY or security shops, look at the facing plate you should see a "kite mark" showing the British Standard and the words five-lever, or similar. Good key operated window locks make the overall security of your home much better, so get some fitted.
Fit decent 5 lever locks to your shed door or use padlocks made of hardened steel. A "closed shackle" type is best, as thieves cannot get the likes of a crowbar through the shackle to break it.
Don't be fooled into thinking your garage is any more secure than your shed. Many up-and-over style garage doors are easily overcome, but a padlock with a hasp and staple on the inside is an effective way of improving security. Consider adding a mortise lock to double garage doors with a rim latch. Another option is a garage defender lock. This is a heavy-duty metal arm, padlocked to a base plate that is bolted into the concrete outside the garage door. This prevents the door from being opened.
GOING ON HOLIDAY
If you are going away on holiday remember, it might seem obvious, but make sure your property is secure - check windows and doors are locked and don't forget to secure your shed or garage, and remember to set your burglar alarm if you have one.
Cut your lawns just before you go away. Get automatic timer switches to switch lights and possibly a radio on and off in different rooms as this makes it look like you're still around. The help of the family, friend or neighbour can be invaluable, so give someone you trust a spare key and your alarm code in case there is a problem. Ask if they would be happy to go in each morning and evening to open and close curtains to make the house look more lived in.
For the car security, you should park preferably in a car park meeting the Secured Car Parks standard. Lock all doors, close windows and use any security devices you have. Make sure that the things in your car are not left in view. Be aware of isolated car parks at beauty spots; cars can be easily targeted where any valuables are displayed. Never take valuables unless you need them, if you take them take them with you or secure within the boot compartment but now in view of the potential offenders.
Always close doors, windows, and any roof lights whenever you leave your caravan, lock your caravan, and take your keys with you. Have a reliable alarm fitted and remember to turn it on whenever you leave your caravan, even if it is only for a short time. Don’t leave valuables in your caravans - if unavoidable, lock them out of sight and use timer-switches if you are out after dark.
If you take your mountain bike or cycle on holiday with you, do not leave cycles in isolated places or unlit areas. Park cycles safely and considerately where they will not cause a danger or obstruction to others. Always lock a cycle through the frame when leaving it, even if it's only for a few minutes. Also remove smaller parts and accessories that can't be secured, especially lights, pumps, and quick release saddles.
Wiltshire Constabulary strongly recommends that cyclists use “gold approved” security products as recommended by the Master Locksmiths Association scheme - Sold Secure. They also strongly recommended ground or wall anchors for use in a garage or shed.
Security marking and registration of your bicycle are the best ways of ensuring it is returned to you if stolen and assists Wiltshire Constabulary to quickly identify any stolen property that has been taken. Look to property mark your cycle by engraving, stamping or laminating on your postcode and house number.
Mobiles phones are attractive to the opportunist thief; never leave your phone unattended, either on the kitchen worktop, the local bar, the top of your handbag with the zip undone. Phones can easily be snatched or make you a potential target for street robbery. Always be aware of your surroundings when you use your mobile. If your phone is stolen report it to the police and your network provider. Record your phone (IMEI) number, your phone number and even postcode it by UV pen, Smartwater or data tagging.
~*~*~*~*~BEAT THE BOGUS CALLER:
ACTION: Always check identification before letting a caller in.
People at risk: Anyone can be a victim of a bogus caller. Older people may feel more vulnerable but are actually less likely to become victims of most crime.
tip: you don't have to let anyone into your home
tip: put a chain on the door and install a door viewer
tip: use the phone book to contact the company to check identituy
what you can do: if you are suspicious phone 999 and ask for the police
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A message from Neighbourhood Watch (posted by Andrew Noblet)
Please be aware that companies requesting goods for 3rd World Countries may be targeting North Wiltshire. It has come to light that some organisations that are NOT charities are collecting clothing to sell at a profit. They have issued mail shots to many householders. At a glance it may look as though they are a charitable organisation but the small print indicates that they are in fact a registered company.
If you would prefer to give your personal goods to charity please read all
leaflets carefully.
Rob Green
Consumer Support Officer
Wiltshire Trading Standards ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WHAT IS YOUR POLICE FORCE DOING FOR YOU?
For more information about:
~ visible policing in your community
~ community policing
~ tackling and reducing crome
~ policing in partnership
~ policing for safer roads
~ policing in the 21st century
visit: www.wiltshire.police.uk or www.wiltshire-pa.gov.uk and click on "Policing Plans"
For non-emergencies, general information or enquiries about Wiltshire Police Authority 'phone the police on 0845 408 7000 (the new single number which replaces all previous public police station numbers) or in an emergency dial 999.